Five Ways You’re Addicted to Sugar But May Not Know It

It’s true! Some of us were born sugar lovers and we search high and low to get our hands on the sweet stuff, while others of us unknowingly feed a hidden addiction. For most of my adult life, I was a raging sugar addict but didn’t know it. My mindless consumption of sugar manifested in a handful of sneaky ways.

Check out my tips for combating the five most common ways sugar sneaks into our daily dishes.

Sugar Lurks Everywhere. From the Pinkberry treat you enjoy on hot summer afternoons to the peanut butter you spread on your whole-wheat toast every morning. Manufacturers know that sugar is addictive so they lace their food with it, keeping you coming back for more.

Take back your power: Check labels and read the ingredients on packaged foods to rule out hidden sugar often disguised by words that end in “ose” like fructose, sucrose and glucose. Don’t be fooled by the health claims on food labels. Those are often just advertising.

The Daily “Desk Doldrums” Set In. Whether it happens to you mid-morning, mid-afternoon or both, you can practically set your watch by the desk doldrums, that feeling of low energy and tiredness that sends you bee-lining for the nearest Starbucks or office vending machine. After a sugar-laden breakfast or lunch, your blood sugar levels may have trouble stabilizing. They rise sky high after a meal, then dip low a few hours later leaving you zapped of energy and craving a dip into the candy bowl.

Take back your power: Have a breakfast or lunch that includes whole grains, which are energetically grounding and release slow, sustained energy rather than a surge all at once.

The Post-Meal Sweet Craving. Sometimes you give in, other times you don’t, but you find yourself craving something sweet after every meal. Eating establishments have practically programmed our brains to think about sweet after savory with their creative and timely presentation of the dessert menu upon completion of the main event. It’s hard to resist. Because our bodies naturally want to maintain homeostasis, they often look to balance overly salty tastes, typical of the standard American diet and restaurant food, with its complementary taste: sweet.

Take back your power: Next time a sweet craving sets in after a meal, drink a glass of water and wait 30 minutes. Often it dissipates. Sipping herbal and peppermint tea can also counteract a sweet craving.

Stress Makes a Meal Out of a Slice of Cake. After a long day at the office, an argument with your boyfriend or even during your monthly cycle, the prospect of a slice of cake for dinner isn’t often that far out of the question when given a fork, a comfy sofa and some reality television. Knowing your triggers can be an important first step in breaking this cycle.

Take back your power: At the first sign of uncomfortable emotions, ask yourself what you really need. Maybe it’s a long walk, a massage, a hug or a phone call to your best friend instead.

Bloating, Constipation, Fatigue and Break Outs Become a Way of Life. Chronic symptoms like bloating, body aches, digestive dysfunction and skin break outs can be a sign of candida overgrowth (Candidiasis) – a surplus of yeast in the gut flora caused by factors such as repeated antibiotic use, long-term use of oral contraceptives, a diet high in sugar and carbohydrates, use of drugs and alcohol, high stress levels or a combination of the above.

Take back your power: If you suspect you may have Candidiasis, speak with an integrative doctor or nutritionist who specializes in the condition for support with diet and supplements that can bring your body back to a healthy state.

What are your creative tips for curbing sugar cravings?

Marissa Vicario is the founder of Marissa’s Well-being and Health (MWAH!). As a certified holistic health coach, Marissa works with urban professionals who want to lose weight, control cravings and feel more energized without dieting. She also lectures on corporate wellness and teaches cooking classes.

Photo credit: Bob.Fornal

Addicted to Stress

Every thought, every emotion that we experience can be as addictive as any drug. Every idea that we have about life, every thought and emotion we feel has a chemical reaction in the mind and body. This constant flow of chemicals creates the most complex laboratory possible, and we all have one that is in constant change. What an amazing, mysterious and powerful tool the mind can really be! In there lies infinite potential. It’s just a matter of what chemicals (habits, reactions, ideas) we allow to flow the most in our mind. We don’t have to become a victim to tamasic states such as depression, worry and anxiety. Just like we have a choice whether we become addicted to the countless toxic habits that are available to us in life, we can also make the choice to be in a more joyful, productive and calm flow of living. It takes will to make intelligent choices in life but really it’s just about being true to yourself and respecting your existence.

Every experience we have is relative to our chemical-based patterns already imprinted in the brain. For example, one person’s emotional and chemical response to “love” could be completely different than another person’s response, depending on past circumstances and reactions (e.g. emotional baggage). A big project for someone at work could be exciting and get the creative juices flowing whereas for someone else it could be the most draining, negative experience. It’s all in our perception and then in the choices we make.

When we’re used to being or reacting in certain ways, we experience a chemical addiction to those ways of being. Just like a drug addict can give up the drug addiction, you can give up a habit that doesn’t serve you. It may be challenging and it may feel like you don’t have a choice, but you do have a choice and you can make change.

Just like a drug, the feelings of stress and anxiety are extremely addictive, and the transition between being super wound up on stress and worry, to becoming calm and present may be a foreign feeling and withdrawal symptoms may come along with it. Just like a drug addict finds it difficult to come off a drug, it may be hard to not get allured back into toxic ways of being. This is where the loving discipline and true will, which lie in the manipura chakra (solar plexus chakra), come in handy. We need them to keep moving forward while staying grounded with the mulludhara (root chakra). Spark up that transformational fire or tapas in the belly and don’t be afraid of change. Our bodies and the whole universe are in constant change, so clinging to the past and addictive habits that don’t serve us is simply going against the flow of nature.

Many people are so addicted to stress that the feeling of being calm and present is often so foreign that it can get labelled as “bad.” When one gets so addicted to constantly thinking, worrying, striving, efforting, straining and stressing, to allow oneself to be truly relaxed and simply breathe can be an adjustment. It may even feel boring.

I also hear from people: “Meditation makes me feel worse.” By going inside you observe what’s happening in the mind rather than being distracted by external forces like stress, alcohol or drug abuse, sex addiction, overeating and excessive television watching. These distractions may create a blissfully ignorant feeling, but is it truly blissful? It’s not until we intelligently face the unneeded content that’s stored in the mind and body that we can soften its addictive hold on us, and release it. When we can look at this content as energy, we can de-dramatize the stories in the mind and approach them with truth. What energy do you keep stored in the mind and body that no longer serves you? You have the choice to keep it or let it go.

No matter how many stressors there are in your life, you can still be present, authentic, calm and loving. Stress is a part of most people’s lives, but it doesn’t have to wear us down and we don’t have to become a victim to it. Stress can be another opportunity to evolve, grow, practice living yoga and love. Living with this sense of ease, wonder and well-being, you’ll probably be more motivated, creative and disciplined.

We can give countless excuses for taking part in self-sabotage. “It’s how I was brought up,” “I can’t help it; it’s just how I am,” or “It’s because of my job.” The more excuses we make for taking part in toxic ways of being, the less empowered we become. We perceive “failure,” which can be a negative, draining experience or another opportunity to grow, shine and evolve.

If we practice being calm, intelligently responsive, strong, loving and compassionate beings, those patterns of being become who we are. We literally change the chemistry in our mind into a more harmonious environment. If we allow ourselves to be angry, jealous, stressed out and reactive beings, those patterns then become our way of being. Practice new patterns with a sense of wonder and non-judgment. Take it day by day. Be a student of life and enjoy this wonderful journey. When you wake up, affirm what day you want to create and feel, that every day of conscious, authentic living from your true nature will gradually let go of any of those addictions you don’t need to be a part of your life. A yoga practice is a perfect environment to explore this. Extraordinary transformation can take place on the mat so you can go shine those qualities off the mat.

What seeds are you planting in your mind as you go off into your day and as you go to sleep at night? What are your intentions and what are your actions? In gratitude and love for life and all its wonder, shine your beautiful self.

Stuart Watkins is a holistic fitness and lifestyle coach based out of Australia. Stuart’s love for travel and new knowledge has taken him all around the world, while achieving certifications as a Holistic Fitness Practitioner, Holistic Life Coach, Yoga Teacher, Personal Trainer, Massage Therapist and Stress Management Specialist. He draws on his knowledge in these areas to ensure each of his clients journey to true health and happiness is in good hands.

Photo credit: mi.a

Love Yourself First

“I’d rather be naked.” These were the words on the t-shirt I saw in Walgreens. It was a size that could only be worn by a young child. I smiled, thinking how self-love comes so naturally for young children. We are born loving ourselves soul, mind, and body, but as the years go on, we tend to forget that unconditional love and acceptance.

For many, many years I did not love myself, especially my body. It was difficult for me to even look in the mirror. I did not re-learn how to love myself from church, my family, or traditional school. In fact, I learned the true meaning of self-love through conquering a raging addiction. I was not addicted to drugs, or alcohol, or men; I was addicted to dieting. I spent six years of my life in the throes of a nasty addiction to trend diets and compulsive exercise.

How did this addiction begin? In October of my freshman year in college, after a series of negative dating experiences, questionable “friend” choices, and a coke-addicted roommate with a habit of punching holes in the wall, I fell into a depression unlike any other I had previously experienced. This lasted about two excruciating months, where I did not leave my dorm except to eat and go to class. I lost touch with my center, gained a bit of weight, and was completely unmotivated.

Then, I took up jogging. This helped alleviate my depression. It didn’t happen overnight, but running each morning gave me a reason to wake up, allowed me to set attainable goals, and connected me to a community of others who shared my passion.

However, the passion soon took on obsession-like qualities. My fixation with exercise began to include restriction and fascination with food. The diet addiction was in full swing: I began to stand on the scale once a day, sometimes more. If the number went up, my day was ruined.

Whatever the trendiest diet craze, I became their most valuable customer. I jumped from Atkins, eating all protein and meat, to an unhealthy vegan diet, eating no protein and meat. I tried South Beach and the Zone. I never ate dessert. I completely lost touch with my inner wisdom, guidance, and sense of balance.

I was buying into everyone else’s money-making “Health Plan” and completely separating from my soul, which was the intuitive part of me that knew what I needed to be healthy, at peace, and truly in love with my body and self. Furthermore, I spent a lot of time and effort “feeding” this diet/body/weight obsession. I had no energy or time left for cultivating my creativity, my spirituality, my zest for life, and my love for myself.

Just when it felt like there was no hope, I began to read and learn about Intuitive Eating, Exercising, and Living. This was a revolutionary concept for me. With the help of authors like Dr. Dorie McCubbrey and Geneen Roth, I tapped into my own inner guide and began to follow these “anti-diet” guidelines:

-My body knows exactly what it wants to eat, how much, and when.
-I can trust my body’s wisdom, hunger, and full point.
-My body knows what type of activity it wants to do and for how long.
-Following someone else’s plan only leads me further from the wisdom of my authentic self.

The most important aspect of this newfound strategy was to LOVE MYSELF FIRST and love my body NOW; not after I lost ten pounds or fit into a smaller size. I practiced daily affirmations: “I am loving and accepting myself fully right now.” I made gratitude lists of everything about my body that I appreciated. “My legs carry me through amazing jogs through the park.” I threw away my scale, refusing to sacrifice my power to a random number. I spent time naked in front of a full length mirror and noticing the beautiful curves of my body. At first, I had to “fake it till I make it,” as the saying goes, but soon I was truly loving myself and practicing self-care to show my body and soul how much I appreciated them.

I can now say that I am done with diet addiction. My body has taught me what foods help me feel energetically alive. I eat dessert, and I usually eat just enough to feel satisfied. I recognize my full point, and I try not to eat too far past it.

Furthermore, as my mind/body/soul connection grew through intuitive living, other areas of my life were positively impacted. I finally allowed myself to accept the love of my best friend, the man of my dreams. My confidence grew and I was able to move on from an exhausting job and into owning my own business, one that feeds my soul and gives back to the world.

Sometimes I have the urge to go back to that time in my life and hug that 22 year old, tell her that she is fine the way she is and that no amount of diet/weight obsession will create self-acceptance and love. Sometimes, I wonder what my life would have been like without that war I waged against myself… but I trust there was a deeper, Divine purpose.

Also, I do embrace that young woman from the past in my own way, each time I work with a client or witness a friend as she searches for self-acceptance, for her inner wisdom, and begins to love her body and self more completely. Together, we are part of a revolution of women who are choosing to love ourselves fully mind, soul, and BODY! I’m going to check if they have the “I’d rather be naked” shirts in larger sizes…

Cora Poage lives in New York City with her incredible husband Ben (her “other” soulmate) and her two crazy kitties. She is the owner of Super Woman Health, a company offering wellness coaching for learning to eat, exercise, and live intuitively.

Photo Credit: insearchofbalance

Giving Up TV

July 1, 2010

It scares me to even write this because then it will be real. But that’s exactly why I need to write this – I need it to be real. I need to put it out there and be accountable. And in order to battle any addiction, you need a support group.

I’m canceling my cable.

Ahhh!! It’s real! I said it. I’m accountable. I’m really doing it. Oh my God. I’m freaking out. I’ve been a TV junkie my whole life. Growing up, I had a TV in my room from the time I was two or three. In college, I had an illegal cable descrambler. And now, after a long, busy day, there’s nothing I love more than sitting on my couch with TiVo. And perhaps if I was a normal TV watcher, this would be fine. But I’m not. I’m an addict. I can’t sit down and watch one or two shows and call it a night. I’ll sit down in front of the TV, already exhausted, at 9:00 or 10:00 pm, and then watch straight through to at least 2:00 am, occasionally 3:00 or 4:00. Every time I’ll promise myself, “just ‘Grey’s Anatomy,’ ‘Private Practice,’ then bed.” But like all addicts, my disease is beyond my control. So after “Grey’s” and “Private,” depending on the season, come “Glee,” “The Bachelor/Bachelorette,” then “The Real Housewives of New York City,” “The Real Housewives of New Jersey,” “The Real Housewives of Orange County,” “United States of Tara,” “Nurse Jackie,” “The Tudors,” “Survivor,” “So You Think You Can Dance,” “Mad Men,” “Friday Night Lights,” and on and on and on.

Just writing this, my heart is racing. I can’t imagine not knowing what’s going on with… all of these people/characters. (I can’t even pick some specific people/characters. I am invested in all of them!) Maybe this is a bad idea. TV gives me so much pleasure. Why should I deprive myself of that? Taking deep breaths. Getting refocused. I know why. Because it’s not good for me. Watching TV actually makes me feel bad. When I’m done, I feel like my whole being has been pervaded with negative energy. Yes, there are moments of joy, laughter, happy tears, and inspiration. But for me, for some reason, it is all outweighed by this sense of heaviness/angst/discomfort/sadness when I’m done. Maybe if I just watched “Glee” and nothing else, I’d be fine?

A year or two ago, after wimping out on canceling cable, I decided to at least cut out shows that I didn’t totally love. So I broke up with the Desperate Housewives. And I didn’t really miss them. This time, though, it feels different. I feel like I can easily part ways with the Bach and Bachelorette. But Nurse Jackie’s husband just found out she’s a drug addict, Tara just discovered a new alter ego, and Betty and Don Draper are divorcing. This is hell.

I swear this is not me backpedaling. I will allow myself a few favorites online. But I cannot and will not spend hours in front of the idiot box like I’ve done for these past three decades. I haven’t watched TV for three weeks and I’ve been fine. But last night, alone in my hotel room, I closed the curtains, hunkered down, and watched a whole slew of shit. It was such a big hit off the crack pipe. Yes, there were moments I felt happy, moved to tears, and inspired. But overall, while watching, afterward, and this morning, I felt bleh.

It feels terrifying to know that when I get home to LA later tonight, there are three weeks worth of TiVo waiting for me. I haven’t quite decided how to handle it. Technically, it’s all grandfathered in.

Regardless, I’m canceling my cable and I’m excited to see who I am and what I do without it. I’ve said it out loud, and it’s real, and I’m accountable.

Update:

July 8, 2010

I cannot believe how different my life feels already. I haven’t even canceled my cable yet but I’m already experiencing better focus, productivity, and clarity. Just knowing TV is not an option – even while it actually still is – has been amazing. I already feel certain that this was the right decision.

July 9, 2010

Shit. It just occurred to me that I still have the series finale of “Lost” on my TiVo. It feels totally ridiculous to have come this far and not watch the final episode. I will watch it, and then – bam – cable over.

July 11, 2010

I watched the final episode of “Lost” and sobbed. So beautiful, so profound. While crying, I thought, “Why would I give this up? Being moved like this is such a gift.” And it is. But it comes at a cost, and I am clear on this now.

July 12, 2010

Just hung up with my cable provider. I did it. Canceled. I had one moment of concern, when the representative started asking me if I was sure I didn’t want to just suspend the service as opposed to canceling it: What if I regretted my decision and then had to deal with a whole rigmarole to get it turned back on in a few months? But I quickly regained my composure and continued with my plan. And I feel great. It was the right thing to do and I’m thrilled to have done something so good for myself. And I’m excited to see what the world has in store for me now that I’m no longer selling my soul to TV.

Photo credit: David Ojalvo

Drinking: Enhancing or Hindering Your Life’s Potential?

As a life coach and licensed psychotherapist I am very familiar with alcohol issues. How do you know if your relationship to alcohol is unhealthy? In my opinion there is no “one size fits all” answer. I used to say if you think about booze more than you do broccoli, then you might have a problem. Now I say if your alcohol use has any negative impact on the quality of your life, your health or your relationships, that it’s a problem regardless of your level of consumption. I know people who drink daily but don’t have a problem and I also know people who binge drink once a month and do. Keep in mind that alcohol use and abuse is a hot button issue for many, and the opinions expressed here are solely from my own personal experience and observation.

So how do you know if you have an issue with alcohol? Below are a few questions that may illuminate your situation. Ask yourself honestly:

-Do you think you have a problem?
-Do you drink even after having been drunk and hungover?
-Do you drink even after you have firmly stated that you will not?
-Have you tried to stop drinking but found you could not do it?
-Have you heard from more than one person in your life that your drinking concerns them?
-Do you act in self-destructive ways when you are drunk (i.e.: fighting with a partner, driving while under the influence, becoming violent)?
-Do you see drinking as a “reward” for working hard?
-Is drinking the way you celebrate AND mourn?
-Do you “black out” or lose memory when intoxicated?

If you have answered the above questions honestly and have come to the conclusion that drinking negatively impacts your life in some way, the next step is to understand the desires that drive your alcohol consumption. This understanding is crucial before deciding on a course of action that is right for you.

Deepak Chopra wrote a great book, Freedom From Addiction, which is really insightful and provides a spiritual take on the Twelve steps of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). Dr. Chopra believes that we are addicted to anything because, “We are not living from our source; we have lost our connection to our soul.” I believe this to be true. Living in the past or the future is living in non-reality, so his suggestion to get committed to a daily meditation practice (be here now) is a sound one.

Many “Type A” overachievers find relaxing or unplugging from the daily demands almost impossible without alcohol. The problem with using alcohol as a coping technique is that it does not allow you to develop an actual skill set to handle life and problems. If you have been using alcohol since your teens or twenties to numb pain, your problem-solving skill set may have emotionally arrested at that age. I find that many clients who stop drinking even as an experiment or to “detox” their mind experience a massive amount of anxiety and difficulty sleeping, so they usually want to abandon the “experiment.” Self-medicating through drinking is often inspired by an anxiety disorder and, once the alcohol is removed, only then can we appropriately address the anxiety to make needed changes. Complications in life due to alcohol abuse also slow or completely stop the progress of psychological and spiritual growth. We end up endlessly dealing with the self-created crisis situations and never get to the original injury. This cycle can go on forever.

AA has been around for so long because it works. I wrote my Master’s thesis on the therapeutic properties of the 12-Step Program. There are AA meetings in every city in this country. I find AA works for clients who have truly hit their bottom and have lost much of what is important to them. Complete abstinence is the only choice. I find AA too stringent and less effective for people with alcohol issues who remain relatively high functioning in their lives. I have successfully helped these clients employ a “harm reduction” technique. This basically entails analyzing their behavior and consumption when really damaging episodes occur in their life and using this information as a guide. I once had a client who could not drink hard alcohol without dire consequences but did not have the same experience while consuming wine or beer. I have also had clients try “harm reduction” to no avail. The goal was then to help them decide whether or not alcohol was meant to be a part of their life—or not—and then plan accordingly.

At the end of the day, whether you want to or not, you know the truth. My only job is to help people get what they want out of life. I reserve judgment completely. You are the only one responsible for your happiness and health, so ultimately it is your decision. If you need help, get into therapy, go to AA, get knowledgeable about the medical model of addiction and create the life you desire.

Since it’s your life I will conclude by asking, as I always do:

-If not you…who?
-If not now…when?

Wishing you peace on your journey with the deep down knowledge that I know you have everything you need within you right now to create the life experience you seek. I think you are worth the effort.

Love Love Love,
Your Crazy Sexy Life Coach-Terri